Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1202 - 181: Meeting Prime Minister He (Part 2)

"Your Highness, I have been advocating for the Li Family's mercy, yet Lord Wei remains indifferent." Prime Minister He sighed deeply. "Every occasion I attempt to speak for the Li Family, Lord Wei cuts me off, preventing any plea. My petitions for them are simply disregarded by Lord Wei."

Prime Minister He spoke truthfully to Zhao Yao. He and Grandmaster Liu had been interceding for the Li Family these past few days, but unfortunately, their efforts were met with outright dismissal from Prince Wei.

Zhao Yao's brow furrowed. "What if all the officials petition for the Li Family as one?"

"It would be futile. The ministers have already prostrated themselves before Zichen Hall, and even the students from the Imperial College have knelt at the palace gates for the Li Family. Still, Lord Wei remains unmoved." Prime Minister He offered a wry smile. "Lord Wei is as obstinate as a mule."

Zhao Yao had not anticipated Prince Wei's unyielding stance. It appeared his brother was truly intent on the Li Family's complete annihilation.

"Your Highness, you share a cordial relationship with Lord Wei. Why not attempt to persuade him?"

"I have made attempts, but he will not yield. Had he listened, I would not be troubling you now," Zhao Yao replied with a hint of distress. "Prime Minister He, is there genuinely no other recourse?"

"If even your own intercession has failed to sway Lord Wei, then indeed, there is no other way."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao's brows drew together tightly, his expression darkening ominously.

"Your Highness, perhaps you could try persuading Lord Wei one more time?"

Zhao Yao inclined his head. "I shall." At present, his brother was dead-set on eradicating the Li Family, making any persuasion seem utterly pointless. Later, he would endeavor to reason with his brother again. Should that fail, he would openly contest him in court daily. If all else proved ineffective, then, as a last resort, he would employ that specific treasure to bargain for the Li Family's survival.

"Speaking of which, Prime Minister He, are all matters within the court proceeding smoothly? Is everything as it should be?" Zhao Yao inquired once more. "Has my brother committed any impropriety during his regency?"

Prime Minister He seemed taken aback by Zhao Yao's sudden concern for court affairs, yet he also felt a measure of relief.

"Beyond the issue of the Li Family, Lord Wei has conducted himself appropriately in all other regards. The court functions harmoniously." Prince Han's active interest in state matters was an encouraging sign. The Emperor's foresight was proving correct; Prince Han could not remain perpetually detached from courtly duties.

"That is good news," Zhao Yao said, a significant weight lifted from his shoulders. "Prime Minister He, my brother is still young. Should any deficiencies arise during his regency, I implore you to offer him counsel and prevent any rash actions." While his brother possessed considerable intelligence and capability, his methods could occasionally be excessively severe. Zhao Yao genuinely feared his brother might inadvertently tear the very fabric of the court asunder.

Prime Minister He found Zhao Yao's words quite astonishing.

"Should Lord Wei undertake any actions detrimental to the court, we, the ministers, will exert our utmost to dissuade him." It appeared Prince Han was not entirely at ease with Prince Wei assuming the role of regent.

Zhao Yao shifted the topic away from court affairs, expressing his concern for Prime Minister He's well-being before taking his leave.

Prime Minister He personally escorted Zhao Yao to his carriage. Only after the carriage departed did he return to his study, where he found Grandmaster Liu enjoying a cup of tea.

Noticing Prime Minister He's return, Grandmaster Liu set down his teacup. "What was Prince Han's disposition?"

Zhao Yao and Prime Minister He had conversed in the main hall; Zhao Yao had not entered the study.

"He spoke words that were quite unexpected," Prime Minister He relayed Zhao Yao's sentiments to Grandmaster Liu verbatim.

Grandmaster Liu listened, his surprise mirroring Prime Minister He's.

"This is indeed unexpected."

"The Emperor's judgment was sound; Prince Han is not indifferent to matters of the court."

Grandmaster Liu offered a concise observation: "Like father, like son."

"It truly is." Prime Minister He inquired with a smile, "What are your predictions for Prince Han's next move?"

Grandmaster Liu pondered for a moment. "Tomorrow, Prince Han will undoubtedly attend the morning court session and intercede for the Li Family. If Lord Wei remains unyielding, Prince Han is likely to engage him in a dispute."

"You believe Prince Han will openly argue with Prince Wei?"

"Prince Han has always maintained a favorable relationship with Prince Wei; this is common knowledge. While all fear Prince Wei, Prince Han stands apart," Grandmaster Liu explained. "For the sake of the Li Family, Prince Han will confront Prince Wei."

Prime Minister He found Grandmaster Liu's reasoning sound and remarked with a smile, "The morning court tomorrow promises to be quite a spectacle."

Grandmaster Liu suddenly inquired, "Today, Prince Han brought a witch doctor into the palace to examine the Emperor's pulse and his ailment. Do you believe this witch doctor from Lingnan can ascertain if the Emperor's stroke was induced by poisoning?"

"I've heard that the witch doctors from Lingnan possess quite mysterious abilities; perhaps they can indeed diagnose it."

"Should the witch doctor confirm the cause of the Emperor's stroke, then Prince Han would naturally suspect Prince Wei of administering the poison." Grandmaster Liu offered a cryptic smile, posing the question, "Who do you suppose Prince Han values more, Prince Wei or the Emperor?"

Prime Minister He let out a chuckle, expressing, "I do hope it is Prince Wei."

Grandmaster Liu remarked with deep meaning, "Great minds do indeed think alike."

The Emperor, already rendered immobile by his stroke, mused internally: "..."

Prime Minister He then asked, "Do you believe Prince Han will act in accordance with the Emperor's expectations?"

Grandmaster Liu responded with a sneer, "I suspect he may overreach himself."

Meanwhile, within the East Warm Pavilion of Zichen Hall, Prince Wei was occupied with reviewing official documents.

Ever since Prince Wei assumed the role of regent, he had been accustomed to perusing petitions and meeting with officials daily in the East Warm Pavilion of Zichen Hall. As evening approached, he would depart the Imperial Palace, returning to his Prince Wei Mansion. He strictly adhered to the palace's regulations, never staying overnight.

Sun Doudou entered, carrying a cup of tea, with Yu Hai following closely behind.

"Your Highness, Prince Han has just departed from Prime Minister He's residence and is en route to the palace."

Prince Wei displayed no surprise at Zhao Yao's visit to Prime Minister He. He turned his attention to Sun Doudou and instructed, "Prepare Prince Han's preferred tea and some snacks."

"Understood, Your Highness." Sun Doudou acknowledged with obedience before stepping out.

A short while later, Zhao Yao made his appearance in the East Warm Pavilion. He did not immediately confront Prince Wei with arguments, choosing instead to partake in tea and a few snacks.

Just as he was about to voice his concerns, Prince Wei interjected, "Whatever you intend to discuss, I will not consent to the exoneration of the Li Family. This matter requires no further debate."

Zhao Yao directed an indignant glare at Prince Wei, retorting, "Even if you forbid my speech, I insist on making my case..."

Zhao Yao then proceeded to deliver an impassioned and lengthy oration, speaking without pause, which left Prince Wei unable to interject.

Yu Hai, standing nearby, was utterly astonished. He had not anticipated Prince Han possessing such remarkable eloquence.

Even Prince Wei himself was taken aback.

Zhao Yao's discourse, replete with historical precedents and legal statutes, proved so compelling and irrefutable that Prince Wei found himself at a loss for a counterargument.

"If you refuse to release the Li Family, I shall continue to argue with you until you are utterly exhausted."

Prince Wei could not suppress a laugh: "..."

Yu Hai: "..." Such is the familiar Prince Han.

With his angry words delivered, Zhao Yao turned and strode out of the East Warm Pavilion.

Yu Hai stood momentarily stunned as he watched Zhao Yao depart. After a brief interval, he turned to Prince Wei, gesturing towards Zhao Yao who had already exited the pavilion.

"Your Highness, Prince Han, he..."

"Pay him no mind." Prince Wei chuckled, shaking his head with a mixture of helplessness and affection, "He is still like a child."

Yu Hai: "..." What is Prince Han truly planning?

Upon returning to the Han Prince Mansion, Zhao Yao summoned the witch doctor to inquire in detail about Prince Chu's condition.

"Your Highness, Prince Chu's condition..." The witch doctor hesitated.

"What is troubling my fourth brother's health?" Zhao Yao inquired with visible anxiety.

"Your Highness, should Prince Chu follow the prescribed medication and make gradual adjustments to his lifestyle, he could potentially live for several more years. With a measure of luck, perhaps even a decade."